Contribution to the study of fungal diseases of tomatoes in the El Oued region

Abstract

Tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum L.) is the most popular vegetable in the world, but it is vulnerable to infection by a number of diseases, the most important of which are fungal diseases. The main objective of this study is to determine the main fungal diseases of tomatoes and to document the knowledge of farmers on these diseases and their control measures in some communes of the wilaya of Oued Souf. The investigation was carried out took place in the period from July to August 2023. In total, 36 questionnaires were distributed to tomato farmers in 6 different municipalities. Our survey results show that: 67% of farmers aged between 20 and 39 years old. 39% of them having a secondary level. 78% of the farmers interviewed own their own land, all farmers cultivate market garden crops but with varying proportions. Tomatoes, potatoes and peppers are the most cultivated vegetables (36%). Tomato varieties; Salima (H1) + Mercury (H1) + Petra (H1) are the most cultivated with a percentage of (34%), more than half (61%) of the farmers practice superficial plowing of 15 to 25 cm and the majority of Among them (70%) use organic fertilizers in addition to chemical fertilizers for fertilization and all farmers use the drip system for irrigation, the majority of them use herbicides like VAPCOR® and SENOCORAL and preventive pesticides such as PREVICUR, ® VALLETTE® and SCOR®. The most frequently observed fungal diseases of tomatoes are: Downy mildew + Powdery mildew + Alternaria + Gray rot. With the following symptoms: Yellowing of leaves + sporulation of white down on leaves + Leaves covered with white powder + hairy gray mold covering stems, leaves and fruits and the use of BELTANOL®, PREVICUR ®, SCOR® and TRASOL® +PELTHIO as treatment. All agricultural surveys respect the dose of fungicide and the time before harvest. 87% of them did not receive any training on good pesticide practices. In general, farmers perceived knowledge of tomato diseases due to the losses caused by these diseases, but their knowledge on the use of pesticides was poor.